Sexual Abuse Therapists in Washington, DC

Hello! My Name is Jennifer. I am a therapist with Arelis Perez Psychotherapy Services. We are a multicultural and multi-lingual practice offering therapeutic services to children, teenager, and adults. Our clinicians are trained to utilize a variety of therapeutic modalities to support and empower a diverse population.

I am a counselor with years of experience working with clients who are managing depression, anxiety, and chronic illnesses. I have specialized training in working with those who experience interpersonal violence and sexual assault/abuse. When an individual survives a trauma or hardship it can be extremely difficult to cope and obtain fulfillment. Whatever the struggle is I believe in helping clients identify their strengths in order to overcome the obstacle.

I am a licensed Psychologist in Washington DC and in Maryland. I specialize in the treatment of trauma, specifically child sexual abuse. I have extensive experience in the utilization of evidenced based treatment in the area of trauma with children as young as 3 years old. I also provide psychological and psycho-educational evaluations. I have worked with children impacted by the foster care system, multiple traumas, grief and loss, gay, lesbian, and transgendered youth . I strongly believe in creating a warm and accepting amotsphere and that this is a neccessary condition for successful treatment.

If you're grappling with the aftermath of sexual or domestic violence, facing challenges in processing a traumatic childhood, or finding it hard to cope with daily life because of PTSD, know that you're not alone. Moving forward as a survivor can feel daunting, overwhelming, confusing, and immobilizing. But it can and does get better. With a background of nearly 20 years advocating and providing clinical support to victims of sexual violence and other violent crimes, Kourtney DeBoer, LMFT, is committed to walking with you every step of the way on your path to healing and reclaiming your voice, mind, body, and spirit.

In my 20 years of clinical, academic, and advocacy experience, I have worked with clients who present with a wide range of issues. I specialize in recovery from trauma (particularly childhood abuse/neglect, sexual assault and domestic violence), successful movement through life transitions (young adulthood, career, parenthood, mid-life and loss), and repair of interpersonal relationships (including a specialty in couples therapy). I have advanced training in both trauma treatment and couples therapy, which uniquely positions me to treat couples where one or both partners have a trauma history.

If you find yourself struggling to overcome trauma, maintain healthy relationships, or cope with anxiety, I would be happy to talk with you about my approach to therapy and how we might work collaboratively to empower you to make meaningful changes in your life. I specialize in providing clinical services to adult survivors of trauma, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, and witnesses to violence. I also help clients address issues of depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and grief.

I work with individuals at many points in their journey, I support the right to self determination but also work to motivate my clients towards a greater wellbeing. I employ a solution focused/strengths based, psychodynamic, and logotherapeutic approach. I believe therapy is driven by the client, and I tailor my approach to each individual.

I have 31 years of experience helping people who are hurting change their lives. Often, we develop skills to survive difficult situations -childhood abuse, bullying in school, a bad car accident, sexual assault, an abusive marriage or boss - and it's hard to stop using those old skills, even when we no longer need them. We react in a new relationship as if we have to protect ourselves from things in the past. This often leads to more pain and unwanted outcomes. I can help you recognize those maladaptive coping skills. Change is difficult and often scary, but so worth it. I will be there cheerleading you as you practice new skills.

As a clinician, it is my goal to provide a safe, comforting, and encouraging environment for personal growth. I work from a strengths-based model to highlight the various systems in your life and work to address the needs and concerns that you bring into the counseling session. I strive to ensure that you feel supported and valued in our counseling relationship, this is one of the main benefits of seeing an independent provider.

Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to pursue a career path that would make a difference in people’s lives. This interest led me to study psychological science, social work, and social justice. I care deeply about human rights, cultural humility, and integrating anti-oppressive practices. As a LCSW, I am committed to the well-being of all my clients to cater to their holistic needs. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults regarding various issues, including: anxiety, depression, stress, complex trauma, oppression, relationships and intimacy, sexual assault and domestic violence, and LGBTQ+ dynamics.

I believe that all people have the innate capacity to heal and grow from trauma and distress. I specialize in working with adults who have experienced challenging situations, past and present. These include trauma, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and difficult pregnancy & birth-related experiences. I also help people to address anxiety, grief and loss, and other life transitions. Drawing on a range of complementary approaches, I collaborate with you to strengthen your skills to navigate present-moment distress, explore what’s feeling painful or stuck, and together find ways to help you flourish.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in the District of Columbia, and earned my Masters in Social Work with a clinical concentration from The Catholic National School of Social Sciences at The Catholic University of America. During my clinical work, I have worked with clients from diverse backgrounds and cultural groups, mostly in out-patient settings, with a variety of struggles including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, and PTSD. have expertise in working with sexual assault survivors, grief and trauma, and acculturation.

Asking for support can be a challenging and important way to honor yourself and your needs. Let’s build on that courage, curiosity for change and motivation. For many people, trauma, anxiety and/or depression can impede connecting and living fully. Experiences of loneliness, burnout and hopelessness can be overpowering. I believe change is possible and trust - with your therapist, with yourself and your loved ones - can be a key part of healing. I want therapy to be a space where you can express yourself and feel empowered and grounded. We can balance between time to use coping skills and space for reflection or exploration.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist providing individual therapy for adults in the Friendship Heights area of NW Washington, DC. I work with individuals with a number of presenting concerns, including mood disorders (e.g., depression and anxiety), addictions, trauma histories (e.g., sexual abuse, combat trauma, etc.), longstanding personality and relationship problems, and more.

Life has the ability to impact our physical, mental and emotional wellness. I am an avid believer that therapy has the ability to promote wellness throughout the challenges that each of us face. Do you ever find yourself battling negative thoughts? Feeling overwhelmed with trying to cope with feelings? Are you in need of a space where you can feel seen and heard? Whether you are facing loss, traumas, family conflict, life transitions or difficulty with social wellness, my collaborative and supportive style supports you as you work toward your wellness goals.

Have you been on an emotional roller coaster? Are you overwhelmed with low self-esteem? Are you one of many men and women battling a history of sexual abuse? Is your relationship struggling to survive? You don't have to suffer in silence. You don't have to do this alone. Together we can begin to resolve the challenges in your life, break hurtful and long-standing patterns of behavior, and uncover your true potential.

The decision to seek therapy takes courage. I aim to provide a non-judgmental space that allows you to feel comfortable and understood. The best outcome in therapy comes from a trusting and collaborative relationship between the therapist and you. In my work, one of the main outcomes is for you to appreciate your strengths, how you have used your strengths to overcome previous challenges, and how you can use them to face current and future situations.

If Self Help advice and strategies had been enough you probably would not be looking for a therapist. Those strategies make sense but are often very difficult to implement. The human psyche is a complicated mechanism which tends to resist change. Breaking problematic patterns of behavior and interactions with family, friends and in work environments is harder than it looks. Past history , fears and anxieties often contribute to making it difficult to make positive changes in ones life. My work with you includes examination of factors making it difficult to change and strengthening your resolve to make beneficial changes.

If you're looking for a therapist, there's a good chance you feel like "something" in your life isn't working -- perhaps within yourself, a relationship, or your career. Sometimes it's hard to know what that "something" is, and, other times, the feeling may be directly connected to a specific event, relationship, or personality trait. As your therapist, I will work with you at a pace that feels manageable, and together we will reflect on what feels like it's not working and identify possibilities that may bring relief or change.